BBW Q and A!

On Facebook, a couple of weeks ago, Bath and Body Works held a LIVE chat Fragrance Creator Camille McDonald! And, yes JustBBWLovers has the TRANSCRIPT! So, here it is:

Question: What scents do you have for spring?

An explosion of florals in many ways combined with fruits and spring woods peppered through the season.


Question: What’s your favorite fragrance this winter?

My favorite fragrance for winter is Secret Wonderland an absolutely addictive fragrance with juicy berries and creamy woods and ambers.


Question: Are u going to have anything new for Christmas?

What's new for Christmas -- Secret Wonderland and Holiday Traditions a fashionable take on our well known Vanilla Bean Noel and Winter Candy Apple and a brand fragrance called Snow Kiss Berry.


Question: Hello Camille, I would like to know what scent is in the dark kiss perfume, I love it so much!!

The scent in Dark Kiss is dark berries and plum over a kiss of dark vanilla.


Question: Which fragrance is your all time favorite?

My all time favorite is indeed Black Amethyst.


Question: Can you give any hints on the Black Friday sales?

Black Friday is going to have lots of fun surprises especially if you come early in the day!


Question: Camille, what scent is your favorite for men?

I love Twilight Woods for men; I have had many a lucky night with that fragrance.


Question: What’s a good gift to give your mother in law??

You ask what is a good gift for the other in law -- I think Holiday Traditions is the perfect combo of fashion and tradition - you can’t go wrong.



Question: I LOVE Secret Wonderland! What was the inspiration to create that Scent?

The inspiration for secret wonderland was to take the trend of woody fragrances from around the world and make it addictive and feminine and combining the creamy woods with juicy red berries.


Question: Can you tell us what fragrances to look out for in the future?

Scents to look out for in January called Island Escape -- it's time perfectly for an escape from winter -- it includes a Coconut, a Mango and a Passionfruit to die for? Get your bikini ready


Question: I like smells with out strong flowers and fruits…

If you are looking for a light fragrance I love White Citrus.


Question: A strawberry scent for the signature collection would be nice!

If you are looking for strawberry notes you will love Secret Wonderland.


Question: What is a good fragrance gift for a teacher ?

I love giving teachers AntiBac soaps and sanitizers from Apple Wreath to Orange Spice and the Reindeer Pocketbacs will keep you laughing.


Question: When is secret wonderland coming out?

Secret Wonderland is OUT! Go get it.


Question: Will you ever bring Tropical Passionfruit back?

If you like Tropical Passionfruit get the Fiji Passionfruit coming to stores in January. You can wear it with or without a bathing suit.


Question: What is the best scent to help sleep and to relax?

If you want help sleeping and relaxing get Aromatherapy Lavender Vanilla, Jasmine Vanilla and Chamomile.



Question: What kind of experience would someone wanting to get into Product Development at BBW have?

The best preparation for product development at BBW is people who have studied business and marketing in the personal care industry.


Question: I noticed that the market that is testing the new hand soaps (Peach Bellini, Vanilla bliss, etc.) have a demo table that shows off the new soap grouping plan – florals, fruits, comforts, etc. Can you tell us about your plan for antibac and any early successes in the test markets that will launch?

For those of you who live in the market where we are testing antibac soaps in different fragrances we are having great success with them and you can look for them in the future


Question: WHAT IS GOURMAND?

Gourmand means it is a fragrance inspired by food.


Question: Oh yes, lots of men are asking for lotion in the signature collection too...

We are currently working on a men's lotion.


Question: I noticed some test markets have coordinating hand lotions for some of the antibac scents such as Fresh Market Apple. What are your plans for this – will it go national? It is a great idea.

With great thanks to everyone who helped make our test markets a success on Antibac we are planning to launch Peach Bellini, Cinnamon Heaven, Vanilla Bliss.


Question: WILL THE MEN'S LOTION BE IN THE SAME SCENTS AS THE MEN'S COLLECTION NOW?

Yes the men's lotion would be in the same scents.


Question: Yay peach bellini! In like hand sanitizers and stuff? When will it be out?

Peach Bellini hand products will be out early next year.


Question: I love Vanilla and want to know if you are offering some new vanillas?

Many of our customers love Vanilla -- In the Spring look for our new Cherry Vanilla.


Question: What do you think of this coming holiday season?

What I am loving about this Holiday Season is how much we are offering in AntiBac soaps and sanitizers. All of packaging looks like Christmas Cards.


Question: Can you bring back the shimmer powder from the collection japanese cherry blossom.....i really want to get ome more.

For those who love shimmer we have our Shimmer Splashes that are selling like hot cakes right now in the store. We also have a radiant lotion.


Question: Product for Sensitive skin?

My recommendation for Sensitive Skin is the Wexler Sensitive Skin collection.


Question: What is a brief description of the process of coming up with a new scent?

To come up with a new scent we look at fashion and perfumery and marry it with what our customers tell us they like best.


Question: What’s coming up in spring?

In the spring we have a lot of interesting florals in the spring. My favorite is Carried Away coming in February.


Question: What scent should i get a guy?

My favorite scent for a guy is Twilight Woods for men.


Question: Camille will there be a return to the salt scrubs in the lines other than spa?

We are working on an explosion of scrubs for next year -- a creamy one in January and a sandy one in May.


Question: What is your number one selling Fragrance?

Our number one selling fragrance is Japanese Cherry Blossom and Twilight Woods not far behind. I also think Dark Kiss is close in the running for the top 3.


Question: What’s a good scent for fall?

If you want a good sexy fragrance get Dark Kiss, if you want a cuddler get Twilight Woods.


Question: What is something to keep skin soft and get rid of dead skin?

To keep skins soft and get rid of dull skin -- use a body scrub followed by a body cream to get soft and sexy skin. Get True Blue Spa There's The Rub followed Lay It On Thick.


Question: Will there be a pineapple scent in the new resort collection?

No there is no pineapple scent coming in January but look for it in May.


Question: What’s the best for woman in the fresh oean water scents?

I recommend Dancing Waters or Sea Island Cotton for a fresh ocean scent.


Question: DEEP AQUA WAS THE BEST OCEAN CENT!! NOW ITS GONE

Deep Aqua did not perform well enough to come back -- i loved it too.


Question: I have over 60 hand sanitizers!! Yes, i am hooked!! ;) I love the cupcake scents!!

If you love the PocketBacs you'll love the Reindeer Mint collection in stores now and the "I Love" collection coming in January.


Question: Do you know when you will be bringing in the New Vanillas?

New vanillas are coming in the spring and the newest one will be in Cherry.


Question: Will you ever make glosses for sig. scents that have already been out - instead of new scents?

That's a good idea we will look into making lip products that tie back to existing fragrances. I wonder what a Japanese Cherry Blossom would taste like.


Question: Did you create Vanilla Bean Noel?

Vanilla Bean Noel is a legendary BBW fragrance that has a passionate following and I cant take credit for developing it.


Question: What was the first BBW fragrance you helped create?

The first fragrance I helped create was Japanese Cherry Blossom!


Question: How do you come up with your scent lines? Some are so creative!

I have a big team of people helping me develop our fragrances -- that are talented fragrance developers and great package designers.


Question: Will Secret Wonderland become part of the Signature Collection?

Yes, Secret Wonderland is here to stay.


Question: So you have helped create all the fragrances following JCB? What is next on your list of popular fragrances?

After Japanese Cherry Blossom -- my biggest successes since that launch has been Twilight Woods, Midnight Pomegranate, the Vanillas, White Citrus and Dark Kiss.


Question: When is the Resort Collection coming?

Resort collection is coming in mid January.


Question: Are there going to be any new fruity scents soon?

We really are working on developing the right apple fragrances -- stay tuned.


Question: What will Carried Away smell like?

Carried Away is a bright fruity floral with lush raspberries, jasmine petals and whipped vanilla.


Question: I miss the temptations fragrances.

I miss Temptations too -- we are working on other "food like" collections for next Fall.


Question: When will Carried Away be in stores?

Carried Away will be in store early Feb.


Question: Do you ever mix or layer fragrances?

I never mix or layer existing fragrances because I respect the artistry of the fragrance creator. I believe they are meant to be worn alone but I respect those who do like to layer.


Question: What bout Aromatherapy scents?

For those of you who love Aromatherapy -- try our new Vanilla Verbena in stores now.


Question: How long have you been working at BBW?

I have been working at BBW for over six years -- and so far it is the most amazing experience.


Question: Will there be any scents that will become available that kinda sorta smell like the latest Honeysuckle scent?

If you like Wild Honeysuckle there was fruity floral feeling in that fragrance that is in the concept for Carried Away.


Question: Did you create Forever Sunshine?

Yes I created Forever Sunshine.


Question: We love Forever Sunshine!! What was your inspiration?

I am so glad you love Forever Sunshine -- for me it was a nostalgic creation reminding me of the last night of summer just before school started -- when you feel warm and cool in the air at the same time.


Question: Did you always want to do what you’re doing now?

I actually started out wanting to be Barbara Walters but took a job in the beauty industry and never left. I am sure Barbara Walters is grateful.


Question: Did you expect the Summer Vanillas to be such a hit?

We absolutely never expected Summer Vanillas to be such a huge hit -- it inspired us to work on more creamy fragrances including coconuts coming in May and more coming in the Fall.


Question: When will the signature vanilla body cream be available?

Signature Vanilla Body Cream will be in stores soon.


Question: Did you create Midnight Pomegranate?

Yes I created Midnight Pomegranate.


Question: Did you create White Citrus?

Yes I created White Citrus.


Question: Did you create Yuletide Pear Vanilla?

Yes I created Yuletide Pear Vanilla


Question: What’s coming in spring?

In the Spring we are working on a dynamic woods fragrance that combines citrus and wild flowers with light woods – it is amazing and I cant wait for you to smell it.


Question: How did you get into the fragrance business?

I got in the fragrance business from a job I thought was temporary -- I feel in love with it -- then I went back to school for business degree and had extensive fragrance training at the fragrance houses.

Question: When a fragrance is in select stores or limited time, is that because of ingredient availability or a specific decision to encourage exclusivity of the scent and direct sales through that?

Usually a fragrance is in select stores because we are testing before we role it to all stores.


Question: What’s in the Tropical Escape Collection?

Our tropical escape collection launching in January will have a Coconut,
Mango and Passionfruit.


Question: When you wake up how do you decide what to wear?

When I wake up I typically don't put on a fragrance because when I get to the office I have to try different multiple fragrances.


Question: What do you do before you launch a new fragrance?

We never launch a fragrance unless my team has worn it and more importantly we have tested it with customers.


Question: How about bath and body works MENS fragranceanti bacterial hand gels??

Actually that is a great idea -- we will look into that.


Question: Speaking of MUSK!! I would love a soft musk bath gel and spray! Any idea if that might happen?

If you love MUSK -- you will probably like Moonlight Path, Secret Wonderland and Sea Island Cotton.


Question: Do you create candles as well?

No, my fabulous partner Harry Slatkin develops all of the home fragrances.


Question: What if you like fruity scents?

We are working on developing some modern fruity scents that we hope will be out next year.


Question: What scents will be in the "I Love" pocketbacs?

I love you (sweet pea) I love bling (rock candy) I love shoes (stylish strawberry) I love boys (berry crush)I love cake (buttercream).


Question: Are there any scents in the store you dislike?

My boss will kill me if I say I dislike a scent.


Question: I would love to see more SHIMMER lotions!

We are working on bringing more Shimmer into Signature Collection year round.


Question: What notes do you LOVE?

The notes I absolutely love are amber notes and creamy white florals.


Question: One note scents can be gotten from anywhere, scents with depth are much harder to find, and that’s why I like BBW!

You are right -- it's hard for me to give up!


Question: The men have spoken! We want body lotions and sanitizers in men’s scents!

To everyone who wants Mens Body Lotion and Sanitizers we are working on them I promise.


Question: Why is it so difficult to find a store with Apricot Vanilla?

Apricot Vanilla had an unexpected level of demand and we are bringing it back soon!


Question: Breathe was amazing!!

Thank you! I love Breathe too -- and in fact I am thinking about a way to bring it back in a more modern way!

Question: You need a new fig fragrance!!

We are exploring on how to use fig in fragrances in the future.


Question: What’s “modern” in fragrance right now?

Woods ingredients and unusual variations on woods like incense -- also a lot of interesting work in green like grass and herbs.


Question: Any plans for a peach scent?

Antibac is launching Peach Bellini in January.


Question: Are you going to add shampoos and conditioners to more fragrances?

We have no plans to add additional fragrances in haircare.


Question: My biggest gift challenge is that I can't go to a B&BW and buy something for someone else. I want it for MYSELF!!

I know exactly what you mean…my gift shopping strategy is one for them and three for me!


Question: Gift challenge: mother-in-law that likes spicy orientals with no sweetness.

Then maybe your mother-in-law will like Japanese Cherry Blossom.


Question: I love floral scents, and my boyfriend adores fruity scents. What's a good balanced scent?

I recommend a fruity floral, our one is Sweet Pea and in February Carried Away.


Question: Whoever is leading the charge on packaging right now is doing a great great job!

Glad to hear you love the Signature Collection Holiday packaging!


Question: What do you think will be “big” on Black Friday?

Secret Wonderland will be the biggest hit on Black Friday along with our VIP bag. It is better than ever.

Question: What’s your favorite holiday scent?

I like Snow Kiss Berry because it has a cranberry signature and two of my favorite ingredients amber and vanilla.


Question: What’s going to be in the VIP bag?

I am not allowed to say what is in the VIP bag -- but take my advice -- GET THERE EARLY!


Question: Is the Resort Collection a limited edition?

Yes the Resort collection called Island Escape is a limited edition collection.


Question: I usually don't wear body butters… I like something that absorbs right away as I am always in a rush.

The new body butters are more moisturizing but not heavier -- absorption is much better.


Question: Are the mini body butters available yet?

The mini body butters are available now and selling fast.


Question: Do you have plans for a body powder?

We don't have plans for Body Powder.


Question: I would love Forever Sunshine in a trial size!?

Yes, Forever Sunshine trial sizes are coming in Spring.


Question: What do you recommend if you want a “rose” scent?

PS I Love You. If you don't like PS I LOVE YOU --there is a less over Rose in Black Amethyst.


Question: How many ounces are in the mini body butters?

The mini body butter is 1.7 oz.

Question: Any plans to bring back Chocolate Amber?

No plans to bring back Chocolate Amber but we are exploring Chocolate as an ingredient in the future.